In a nutshell

The authors examined haploidentical (matched donor) stem cell transplantation (haplo-SCT) as a treatment for patients who relapsed after autologous stem cell transplantation. The study concluded that haplo-SCT is a valid treatment for patients with relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma.

Some background

Most cases of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) can be cured with first-line chemotherapy. However some patients will relapse, or their HL will not respond to therapy. These patients are treated with autologous stem cell transplantation (immature blood cells from their own body). This treatment is approximately 50% effective.

For those patients who relapse after autologous stem cell transplantation, other forms of treatment are necessary. Haploidentical stem cell transplantation (haplo-SCT; stem cells from a partially-matched donor) is one treatment option.

Methods & findings

This study examines the survival outcomes of patients who received haplo-SCT after failure of autologous stem cell transplantation. The medical records of 24 patients were reviewed. All patients received reduced intensity conditioning (RIC, chemotherapy) before haplo-SCT. All patients received post-transplant cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, a chemotherapy). The average length of follow-up was 30 months.

The two-year overall survival rate (time from treatment until death from any cause) was 66%. The two-year progression-free survival rate (time from treatment until disease progression) was 54%. The two-year progression-free survival rate was 75% for patients who were in complete remission at the time of haplo-SCT. This rate was significantly higher than the progression-free survival rate of patients who were not in complete remission (32%).